When used in connection with another verb, the second verb normally
moves to the end:Geh jetzt einkaufen!
Go shopping now!Verbs in questions
There are two main types of question in German – yes/no-questions and
w-questions. The finite verb is placed in different positions:- yes/no-questionsstart with the finite verb:
SpielenSie ein Instrument?
Do you play an instrument? - w-questionsusually start with a question word. The finite verb is the
second element:
Was machstdu heute Abend?
What are you doing tonight?- For more information on questions, see Unit 17.
- For more information on relative clauses, see Unit 20.
Position of subject in main and subordinate clauses
The subject in main clauses
A German sentence or main clause often starts with the subject, followed
by the finite verb:Subject Finite verb Object or other elements
Ich gehe heute Abend ins Kino.
Peter fährt meistens mit dem Auto zur Arbeit.Subject–verb inversion
However, another element such as an expression of time or place can
come at the beginning of a sentence. In this case the subject moves from
its first position and goes directly after the finite verb.Unit 19: Word order and sentence structure 145